Senator Tim Kennedy is encouraging you to make your voice heard on the future of our schools. If you're concerned about the impact of high-stakes testing, you should share your thoughts in space below. If you have ideas for smarter schools reform, please share your input.

All concerns and input will be thoroughly reviewed and taken into consideration as Senator Kennedy works with his colleagues in state government to push for smart school reform.

Senator Kennedy will be joined by Assemblyman Sean Ryan, Senator George Maziarz and the Partnership for Smarter Schools to host the Summit for Smarter Schools on Wednesday, October 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall.

Students will return to their school this year after Buffalo Public Schools agree to accept proposal to annex Pinnacle to an existing school in district.

After hearing reports of closure, Senator Kennedy joined parents in urging NYSED to find ways to keep the school open.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, is commending the collective efforts that ensured Pinnacle Charter School students are allowed to return to their school for the start of the academic year. NYSED had informed students’ parents that they ordered the school to close Sunday, barely a week before the start of classes. Since then, parents and students have been fighting NYSED’s decision and working to keep the school open.

State Lawmakers Announce New Tools, Established with Comprehensive I-STOP law, to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse.

New Online Database Will Help Prevent “Doctor-Shopping”, Stop Drug Abuse Problems Before They Start – Law Was Enacted One Year Ago, Passed Unanimously by NY State Legislature.

BUFFALO – Today, August 26, 2013, New York State Senator Tim Kennedy and New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan announced the implementation of key provisions of the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) legislation that was passed last year, and signed into law on August 27, 2012.

State expected to deliver funds just in time for this weekend’s Dożynki Polish Harvest Festival.

Founded in 1898, Corpus Christi Church is located in the heart of East Buffalo’s Historic Polonia.

Kennedy: In Polish, Dożynki means a celebration of harvest, but this year’s Dożynki Festival will be a celebration of the state’s long-awaited release of historic preservation funds for Corpus Christi.

After years of work, the Geary family of Depew finally celebrates the completion of renovation work that makes their home more accessible to serve the needs of their twin daughters with cerebral palsy.

Senator Kennedy partnered with the family to generate widespread community support, and pushed state bureaucracy to be more responsive to their call for help.

Kennedy: This is a uniquely Western New York story. Our community came together to help a neighbor in need.

Kennedy, Brown, Kearns, Scanlon gather at 124 McKinley Parkway to bring attention to impact of ‘zombie houses’ on city neighborhoods.

Coordinated efforts from city and state lawmakers aim to combat the growing problem of blighted, vacant homes stuck in foreclosure limbo.

Kennedy: ‘Zombie houses’ are eating up our neighborhoods and leaving eyesores and diminished property values in their wake. These out-of-town banks must be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation Monday enacting Jay-J’s Law, which allows for tougher penalties against offenders who have been convicted of repeatedly abusing a child. Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, first authored the bill in late 2011, and since then, he has worked closely with Jay-J's family, the Retzer's, to push for final passage of the bill.

“Assaulting a child is a heinous crime that must be met with the strictest of punishments,” Governor Cuomo said. “By enacting Jay-J’s Law we are taking a step forward in safeguarding children across New York State, and immediately ensuring that repeat offenders are met with heightened penalties that match the seriousness of their actions.”

BUFFALO, NY – Today,New York State Senator Timothy M. Kennedy, U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, BFLO Harbor Kayak Founder and Owner Jason Schwinger, and several other waterfront enthusiasts gathered for a press event on the Central Wharf at Canalside to highlight the severe impacts of extreme weather and climate change on the Great Lakes and New York’s many inland waterways. Today’s press event comes on the heels of President Barack Obama’s historic action on climate change.

With Governor’s signature, Jay-J’s bill will officially become Jay-J’s Law.

The bill has been delivered to the Governor; under state law he now has until the end of the month to sign it.

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy is urging Governor Cuomo to sign Jay-J’s Law – which the State Legislature approved last month. The bill has been delivered to the Governor, and it is now waiting for his signature to become law. The Governor has 10 days – not counting Sundays – from July 19, the day the bill was delivered, to sign it into law, giving him until the end of the month.

After contacting Kennedy for help, Buffalo resident Bob Lucia finally gains access to state medals he earned while serving in Korea.

Veterans who may have earned but not yet received medals of recognition from New York State are encouraged to contact Senator Kennedy’s office.

Kennedy: The Korean War came to an end 60 years ago today, and it’s fitting that on this day – after 60 years of waiting – Corporal Lucia is finally granted the honors he earned for his valiant service in Korea.

Kennedy: Entire families bear the burden of sacrifice when a son or daughter, husband or wife, father or mother is called to duty to protect our freedom and security. Our state must do more to support military families.

HSBC Bank USA will invest $35 million to renovate its downtown Atrium and its facility in Depew.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Economic Development Committee, has been encouraging HSBC officials to keep their over 3,000 local jobs here in Western New York. Kennedy has had frequent conversations with executives at HSBC Bank USA, and today, HSBC reaffirmed its commitment to Western New York by announcing its $35 million capital investment in its downtown Atrium and facilities in Depew.

Kennedy announces Senate approval of legislation he cosponsored to restore state budget cuts to vital services for people with developmental disabilities. Assembly approved it Monday.

Kennedy: The bill we passed restores critical funding that represents a vital lifeline to the most vulnerable among us. Congratulations to all of the families and advocates, and thank you for your passionate persistence.

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